If you want proof that the e-bike market is picking up steam, look no further than Shimano’s recent announcement to bring their STePS electronic group to Europe for 2014. Originally announced in 2010, the STePS (Shimano Total Electric Power System) disappeared until recently. The STePS group offers a complete, integrated e-group right down to the reinforced, Sil-Tec chain. Unlike some e-bike groups that have essentially a throttle, STePS is a pedelec system which offers pedaling assist up to 25km/h and then cuts out. Designed to be one of the lightest e-groups on the market, the system has a range of 80-120km from the 418Wh LiIon battery (High, normal, and eco modes).
Equipped with Shimano’s E-Tube wiring that is now used for Di2, the system is compatible with their Di2 internally geared hubs for further integration. The group is slated for European sales only with a pilot project run from February-August 2014 with Bike&Co and Zeg in Germany. Initial delivery to OEMs is scheduled for August 2014.
More details after the break.
SPECIFICATIONS
Drive unit (DU-E6000) and front gear set (FC-E6000)
- Operating Temp : -10℃～+50℃ Storage Temp : -20℃～+70℃
- Nominal Voltage : 36V
- Max Output : 500W
- Nominal Output : 250W (EPAC EN15194)
- Max Torque : 50Nm
- IP Rating : >IPX6
- Weight : < 3,100g (without Crank Arm , FC )
- Front crank : 44T & 38T
Switch (SW-E6000)
- Switch for assist mode (High / Normal / ECO / Off)
- Switch for cycle computer contents
Cycle computer (SC-E6000)
- Operated by switch
- Easy to read
- Sensors : Torque / Cadence / Crank Position / Speed
Battery (BT-E6000)
- Capacity : 418Wh (36V, 11.6Ah)
- Charging time : 4hours
- 2 Battery positions : Rear carrier type & Down tube type
- Weight : 2,550g (Battery) : 420g (Holder)
- Temperature : 0℃～+40℃ (Charging) -10℃～+50℃ (Operating)
- IP Rating : >IPX4
- Battery life : *1000 cycles *After 1,000 cycles full charging still more than 250Wh=60% (Reference)
Chain (CN-E6070/CN-E6090)
- Reinforced for E-bike use
- More efficient and silent, less maintenance by SHIMANO “SIL-TEC”
- Front single gear only
